The Lord Is My Portion - Lamentations 3:24

by Jeff Randolph
May 9, 2007

If you consider some of the things that many of us stress over; busy schedules, bills, gas prices, the economy, etc., most of us will find that these pale in comparison to what other so much less fortunate people are enduring in this world. In many cases, these people living in so-called "third world" countries are suffering hardships with smiles on their faces. Shame on us!

Many of the Bible writers understood what many of us fail to fully comprehend today; that no matter how bad things were, it could always be worse. One such example is provided by the prophet Jeremiah.

The book of Lamentations expresses the sorrow and grief shared by the Jews due to the empire of Babylon taking them captive and destroying their beloved city Jerusalem. Though the mourning is abundant throughout this book, there are small glimmers of hope as well.

"Remembering my affliction and roaming, the wormwood and the gall. My soul still remembers and sinks within me. This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in Him!" Lam. 3:19-24

This was no doubt a trying time for the Jews, who experienced such affliction as none of us will probably ever see. They lost their temple, their city, their freedom, and for many, their lives. But though nearly all was lost, they still had one thing; the Lord, and He is all they needed.

Sometimes we just need to take a step back and think. Things may seem downright awful, but is all hope ever really lost? Never!

Next time you start lamenting for what you have lost, recall to your mind all the things that the Lord has done for you, and all that you have to gain by following Him. He is all we need even today, and ever will need. "Therefore I hope in Him!"